 LONG POND, Pa. – The NAPA Racing team fell on tough times during Sunday’s running of the Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway. A spin just past the halfway mark and a late-race caution relegated driver Michael Waltrip to a 37th-place finish. The result was a disappointment for the team since they participated in a very promising test session at the 2.5-mile facility two weeks ago. The result dropped the team to 36th place in the owner points standings, 12 points out of 35th position.
“The last caution of the race certainly hurt what we were trying to accomplish and gain out there,” said crew chief Bobby Kennedy after the final lap was run. “We put a pit strategy in place to help pick up some much needed track position and in order for it to have had a chance to work, we needed a green-flag run to the finish. Unfortunately, Kyle Busch had a problem with 20 laps to go and that not only hurt him, but it hurt us.”
The NAPA AUTO PARTS Camry started the Pocono 500 in 19th position after a solid qualifying effort on Friday. Once the race started on Sunday, Waltrip was able to drive comfortably in the top 25 despite being loose through Turn 1. A debris caution on lap 27 provided a chance for the team to tighten up the car. The removal of a spring rubber in the right rear and a wedge adjustment were competed. Four fresh tires were bolted on and more fuel was also added. The NAPA Camry returned to the track in 33rd place.
The race went back to green on lap 31 with Scott Riggs on top of the leaderboard. However, shortly into the run, Waltrip called in to say the changes made no impact on his NAPA Camry. It was still too loose so when the second caution came out on lap 40, Kennedy ordered the shocks to be closed. The shock change had a positive effect. Kennedy and Waltrip also felt more air pressure changes in the future would get the NAPA Carmy back into competitive form. Air pressure adjustments were completed during caution-flag periods on laps 48, 58, 69 and 83.
By lap 100, Waltrip’s car was still not perfect, but was able to break back into the top 25. Unfortunately, the team experienced a setback on lap 105 when the NAPA Camry spun in Turn 1. The car’s suspension remained intact, but there was sheet-metal damage at the back of the car. Two services were needed on laps 105 and 106. Waltrip returned to the track in 39th place. Elliott Sadler was the leader.
 The NAPA Camry improved five more spots before the eighth caution of the day came out on lap 122. The car was still loose so a track bar adjustment along with air pressure changes were completed. Waltrip managed to climb into 30th position when the yellow came out on lap 130 after Dario Franchitti spun. Kennedy chose to keep the NAPA Camry out on the track in favor of track position. The race returned green on lap 134 with Kahne as the leader and Waltrip in 23rd place.
Green-flag stops started to be implemented shortly into the run for several teams who chose to stay out on the last caution. Crews watched pit road to see the types of strategies were being devised. The NAPA team chose to complete their service on lap 140 for right side tires and fuel. If the race went green the rest of the way, the NAPA team could run the race with just one more stop for fuel and hopefully gain valuable track position.
The NAPA team’s final scheduled stop took place on lap 169 for fuel, four tires, air pressure and wedge adjustments. But less than 10 laps later, their plan came to an abrupt end when Kyle Busch brought out the caution on lap 177 when he spun in Turn 2. The opportunity to move up in track position ended and Waltrip had to settle for a disappointing 37th-place finish.
 Winning the 500-mile event was the polesitter Kasey Kahne. It was his second Sprint Cup points victory of the season and third including the All-Star event. Rounding out the top-10 finishers were Brian Vickers, Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards and Mark Martin.
Michael Waltrip Racing’s David Reutimann and Michael McDowell finished 19th and 27th, respectively.
Next week the Sprint Cup Series makes a stop at Michigan International Speedway. The race broadcast coverage gets underway on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on TNT television network and the Motor Racing Network. The green flag is scheduled to drop shortly after 2 p.m. ET.
Pocono 500 Results:
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2008/14/data/results_unofficial.html
Pocono 500 Lap-By-Lap:
http://www.nascar.com/2008/races/lapbylap/06/07/pocono/index.html
NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver Standings (Waltrip – 35th):
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2008/data/standings_unofficial.html
NASCAR Sprint Cup Owner Standings (Waltrip – 36th)
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